In the first episode of a special 4LADS series on women’s football, host Stevie Clifford is joined by Mhairi McKenzie and journalist Chris Jack to welcome Scotland internationalist Lana Clelland to discuss her impressive career so far and ask if she may return to Rangers in the future. Keep an eye on Gersnet’s Youtube channel for the next monthly 4LADS podcast as well as Gersnet’s own weekly pod (live on Sundays at 9.30pm on the channel).

At the moment you can also subscribe to the pod via the platforms below the video (remember to download their app from the App Store and/or Google Play) if you want to listen/download on your mobile devices. If you encounter any problems, then please email us for help.

• Acast: https://www.acast.com/gersnet (also compatible with Alexa Skills – use your Echo to enjoy the pod!)
• iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/gersnet-podcast/id1367486387
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjonaQVRhZNv1jN4SSz8bsw
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/fa2e801c39a9dfac69c6f7f28316b4be1be2b863 (also compatible with Alexa Skills – use your Echo to enjoy the pod!)
• Google Play (USA only for now):
• TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Football/Gersnet-Podcast-p1117723/
• Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=180590&refid=stpr (also compatible with Alexa Skills – use your Echo to enjoy the pod!)
• Podbean: Coming soon
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HnkutCKJDp0ce8BzsIuy5 (also compatible with Alexa Skills – use your Echo to enjoy the pod!)

This article was originally posted here

English clubs will be queueing up to sign Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday on a free transfer this summer.

That is the view of former Gers defender Alan Hutton who, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, claims the uncertainty surrounding the transfer market makes the former Middlesbrough man a valuable commodity.

As revealed in a statement by Rangers last week, Halliday will become a free agent this summer when his contract at Ibrox comes to an end.

#RangersFC can confirm that Andy Halliday, Jon Flanagan and Wes Foderingham will depart from Ibrox upon expiry of their permanent contracts.

First Team Squad Update: https://t.co/33htOVEROH pic.twitter.com/Pr7uNRfdLa

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 19, 2020

Glasgow-born Halliday spent five years playing south of the border but returned to Scotland to join Rangers back in 2015.

With the Coronavirus pandemic set to have a major impact on clubs’ spending ability this summer, Hutton believes a versatile freebie like Halliday will be in high demand.

Asked if a return to England was on the cards for the Rangers man, Hutton told Football Insider: “He’s obviously a good player and I’m sure he’ll look for next move and he’ll want to prove everybody wrong and that they should have kept hold of him.

“I think with everything that’s going on in football at the moment, the chance of picking up a free, if you like, into your squad and knowing the kind of character that he is and what he’s able to bring into the team, it would be an easy decision for myself.

“He knows the leagues down there well so it’s not like he’s going into something that he doesn’t understand or hasn’t been there before. 

“I think lots of clubs in England will be looking at him, knowing he can come in and improve their squads.” 

Halliday played 42 times for Middlesbrough and 32 times for Bradford City during his time in England, while he also had loan spells at Walsall and Blackpool.

He is set to leave Rangers with over 150 appearances and 18 goals under his belt.

This article was originally posted here

Rangers have put Michael Stewart in his place by letting it be known the Ianis Hagi deal is far cheaper than he claimed and will be spread out over multiple accounting periods.

The BBC Sport pundit took to Twitter on Friday to question how the Glasgow giants could afford to splash out “£5million” on the Romania international given apparent financial restrictions.

Football Insider has been told by Ibrox sources that the Rangers PR machine – led by proactive director of communications David Graham since March – has let it be known to the media the nearly-complete Hagi deal will actually cost £3million.

I see some media reporting that Rangers are closing in on a £5m signing of Hagi. Can anyone explain how the club lost £11m, was needing £10m to see the season out, then Coronavirus hit and has deferred huge amounts in wages but can be linked with a £5m signing?

— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) May 22, 2020

Furthermore, in a highly unusual move, correspondents such as Sky Sports and talkSPORT transfer guru Jim White have been told the payments will be split over three years.

Ianis Hagi set to join @RangersFC in £3m deal. Payments will be split over three years.

— Jim White (@JimWhite) May 26, 2020

This is a clear riposte from the top of the club to Stewart and other critics baffled at a multi-million pound signing given the Rangers wage deferral due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the costs borne by the early termination of the season and the £11.3m loss posted in the club’s last set of accounts.

Football Insider revealed last Friday the club are well placed to afford Hagi after being boosted by the new club-record kit deal and imminent Europa League windfall.

As subsequently reported by White, this site explained the payments would be staggered across different times and accounting periods, not uncommon for multi-million pound transfers.

Rangers’ revenues rocketed by £20.6m to £53.2m for the year ending 30 June 2019, a 63 per cent increase.

Before the mid-March lockdown that squeezed football finances everywhere, the club were well on course to beat that.

They were midway through a round-of-16 Europa League tie before the season termination, with European revenues for the season on course to rake in more than £20m.

This article was originally posted here

Noel Whelan has tipped Allan McGregor to take on a coaching role at Rangers after next season as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.

The former Aberdeen and Leeds United forward, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested Steven Gerrard will have had a conversation with the 38-year-old about his role at the club going forward.

The former Scotland international is out-of-contract on 31 May 2021 having signed a one-year extension last December.

Football Insider revealed on Monday that sporting director Ross Wilson faces an uphill manager to persuade Aberdeen shot-stopper, Joe Lewis, to be the man to replace McGregor.

Lewis signed a five-year contract at Pittodrie last summer and has publicly spoken of his want to remain at the club long-term.

When asked by Football Insider if McGregor’s replacement should be addressed in the upcoming transfer window, Whelan said: “You know when a player is coming to the end of their career.

“They have got to look at replacing McGregor or having a backup. They have got to look to the future.

“He has had a fantastic career and I am sure there will be a coaching role for him there. I am sure he does not want to drop straight out of the game.

“A conversation will have been had with Steven Gerrard and McGregor regarding his role within the side next season.

“That is the respect that two experienced players would have for each other.”

Football Insider understands the Gers have offered Robbie McCrorie an extended deal and a pay rise in a bid to prevent the 22-year-old keeper leaving this summer.

McGregor has made 49 appearances in all competitions this season and kept 24 clean sheets.

This article was originally posted here

RANGERS travelled to America this morning for a training camp followed by two matches in the Florida Cup against Brazillian opposition.

Throughout the history of the club, the Light Blues have traveled to America on many different occasions and across the next week, we are going to be remembering those trips across the pond in a series of articles.

The first trip we are going to remember is the tour of 1928 and we’ll have five different articles remembering the games from those pioneering Gers players 90 years ago. Enjoy the second part below and look out for the third part at the same time tomorrow:

Rangers were back on the road after their dominant performance against Eastern Pennsylvania and made the 95-mile journey north along the East Coast of the United States where they would base themselves in New York for the three days.

Over 20,000 enthusiastic fans came out to the see the Light Blues in action at Ebbets Field in the ‘Big Apple’ for their clash with Brooklyn Wanderers.

The same starting eleven took the field in New York (June 2^nd) and they produced another scintillating performance with the impressive Jimmy Fleming score all four goals in the victory over Brooklyn Wanderers.

Fleming’s contribution against Brooklyn was somewhat shadowed, if that is possible when you score four times, by the impressive winger Alan Morton who had his praises sung by the Boston Globe.

A reflection of the true athleticism and professionalism of Struth’s champions was that the eleven players who had just played two games in three days, started again the day after (June 3^rd) for their match with Fall River in Massachusetts.

The Light Blues arrived in the port of Fall River on the famous Cunard cruise liner from New York and took on Fall River Marksmen in front of 15,000 local supporters.

Rangers were up against a very decent outfit who were the best team in the American Soccer League. The hosts had won three ASL championships in a row between 1923 and 1926 and added another four consecutive titles in the late 1920s.

The Providence News played this clash between the finest clubs in Scotland and the United States as a “high-grade soccer clash” which Fall River “outplayed the Rangers for 75% of the match”. The hosts had the better of the chances, and had nullified the strengths of Rangers but neither side could take the spoils as it ended 0-0.

After the two comfortable victories, the Light Blues found it tough and the ever-impressive Alan Morton, who had been building a glowing reputation in the USA, was stifled by Fall River’s defenders in an aggressive manner.

However, the local press was very complimentary about the “gallant defence of Rangers” and that Davie Meiklejohn was “the greatest exhibition in centre half work”.

‘Gentleman John’, as the Americans called him, played 563 times for the Ibrox club, winning 12 league championships and five Scottish Cups.

Meiklejohn is remembered as one of the finest central-defenders with an imposing presence, as well as, a classy style of play. He was inducted in to the Rangers Hall of Fame and is regarded by many as the definition of a true Rangers captain.

Another player who was receiving rave reviews by the local media was midfielder Tom ‘Tully’ Craig who had played the first three games on the tour of North America.

Craig was a former Celtic player who was signed by Mr Struth in 1923 and went on to enjoy a glittering career at Ibrox in the 1920s where he picked up five Scottish championship medals.

The travelling Rangers party were back on the cruise liner that was shipping them from port-to-port and after struggling against Fall River, the team had a welcome five days to prepare for their next match against Western Pennsylvania All-Stars.

Pittsburgh Press columnist Ralph Davis described the clash on June 9^th as “one of the outstanding sport combinations of the world”. Davis told the all-stars to cherish the chance to play against Rangers’ talented stars.

Davis points out that the Brooklyn Eagle said: “They are genuine machine. There is a place for every man and every man finds his place,

“Each man has a sympathetic touch with his fellow players and seemed to have an uncanny understanding as to where the ball would go when the possessor was ready to part with it.”

Davis concluded: “Those at Ebbets Field will have something to tell their grandchildren about in after years.”

Part Three follows Rangers to Pittsburgh and Detroit where they conclude the first stint in the United States before arriving in Canada.

This article was originally posted here

The former Gers and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, believes the 28-year-old will be feeling “devastated” to see his time at the club come to an end.

Rangers confirmed last week that Halliday, along with Jon Flanagan, Wes Foderingham, Jason Holt, Jordan Rossiter and Jak Alnwick, would be leaving Ibrox when his contract expires next month.

#RangersFC can confirm that Andy Halliday, Jon Flanagan and Wes Foderingham will depart from Ibrox upon expiry of their permanent contracts.

First Team Squad Update: https://t.co/33htOVEROH pic.twitter.com/Pr7uNRfdLa

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 19, 2020

Halliday, a boyhood Rangers fan, joined the Light Blues on a free after leaving Bradford back in 2015 and has made over 150 appearances for the club.

Hutton has lauded the versatile midfielder for his contribution and admits he is feeling pretty emotional about his impending exit.

Hutton told Football Insider: “I was definitely gutted for him, we all know how much he loves the club and how much it means to him.

“The only thing I can see is maybe Gerrard trying to look and free up some space to get somebody else in. He was a great player in terms of he can play multiple positions.

“He can go in and do a job and more often than not do it well. I really believe you need characters like this in your squad – players who are willing to play all day, know what the club is about, it means a lot to them, they wear heart on their sleeve.

“To be honest I’m just gutted for him because I know how it feels, it’s a bit like myself when I left Villa, you’re absolutely devastated, you don’t want to see it come to an end.”

Halliday has played most of this season as a left-back for Steven Gerrard, with 12 appearances across all competitions.

He also made a surprise loan move to Azerbaijan side FK Qabala where he turned out seven times between July 2017 and January 2018.

This article was originally posted here

THE RANGERS CHARITY FOUNDATION has been shortlisted for a prestigious gong at the Sports Business Awards 2020.

The Sports Business Awards celebrate the hard work and successes of individuals and teams across the UK who make all sporting success possible, both on and off the pitch. Previous winners include The PGA European Tour, England Rugby, Manchester United, Everton and more.

The Foundation is delighted to have been named in the shortlist for the Sports Diversity Award, recognising organisations which are placing diversity at the heart of their objectives and engagement.

Diversity and inclusion has become a key focus for the Rangers Charity Foundation in recent years, and it’s worked hard to develop new community engagement projects which not only focus on education, but help children of all backgrounds access football.  The Foundation has also been instrumental in celebrating diversity alongside the Club as part of the ground-breaking Everyone Anyone initiative.

In the current football climate, there can be many challenges facing those who aim to make a positive change via diversity and inclusion work, however, the Foundation is proud to tackle all forms of discrimination to make the sport welcoming for everyone.

Recent work in this area includes:

• The launch of a new programme which helps to promote equality between young people and focuses on interactive anti-sectarianism and LGBT+ awareness sessions, Diversity Wins. This was the first of its kind in the UK and is delivered out of the Ibrox Community Hub to 700 primary pupils.
• A free ‘Autism Friendly Football’ programme. Youngsters aged between five and 16, who live with Autism and might not otherwise have been able to access mainstream football, can now enjoy the sport they love with specially trained Foundation coaches.
• Free Visually Impaired Football sessions for children of all abilities. The programme allows children who might not otherwise be able to enjoy mainstream football to access the game.
• The Foundation teamed up with Show Racism the Red Card Netherlands and six other European clubs to deliver a 24-month anti-racism and anti-discrimination programme, which will utilise the high-profile status of football to help tackle racism and other forms of discrimination in society.
• Out with community delivery, the Foundation also supports Rangers Football Club’s wider diversity and inclusion strategy. It helped to launch the club’s first LGBT+ supporters club, Ibrox Pride, engaged with CEMVO Scotland in partnership with the club to help enhance relationships with ethnic minorities in Glasgow and established a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group made up of Club staff and external representatives, which it now chairs. The Foundation also supports a range of diversity and inclusion focused initiatives with partners, such as the LEAP Sport festival, MardiGla and Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces.
• The Rangers Charity Foundation was proud to help launch a ground-breaking campaign, ‘Everyone Anyone’ with Rangers FC, which aims to unite people from all backgrounds, cultures and communities.

Commenting on the news, Rangers Charity Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, said: “To be shortlisted for such a high profile award is great news for the Rangers Charity Foundation.

“The diversity and scale of the work undertaken by the Foundation, by what is a relatively small team, is remarkable. We were delighted to win two awards in 2019, and this further exemplifies the success of our strategic approach, as well as the skill and commitment of our brilliant staff.

“Football’s ability to become a tool for engaging people and help them to transform their lives for the better is incredible, and we are proud as Rangers Football Club’s official charity to be standing shoulder-to-should with some of the biggest names in sport, who are all doing brilliant work in their own communities.

“I would like to congratulate all nominees and wish them the best of luck at the Sports Business Awards later this year.”

The complete shortlist for the Sports Diversity Award includes:

• Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club v homophobia
• British Martial Arts & Boxing Association
• Everton Football Club
• Leicester City Football Club
• Project Rugby – Premiership Rugby
• Rangers Charity Foundation
• The 2019 Solheim Cup – VisitScotland/EventScotland
• Ready Steady Active

Winners will be selected ahead of the Awards Ceremony, which will take place in London on Wednesday 16^th December.

The judging panel is made up of CEOs across all sports alongside individuals whose knowledge, expertise and experience gives them special insight into the challenges and demands of sports business success. Designed to celebrate the vital influence of business within sport the awards recognise the organisations, teams and individuals who excel in a variety of business, CSR and sports governance disciplines.

For more information about the Sports Business Awards, visit: https://sportsbusinessawards.co.uk.

For more information about the Rangers Charity Foundation, visit: www.rangerscharity.org.uk.

This article was originally posted here

Rangers have opened talks to sign Liverpool-born rising star Tony Weston, Football Insider can reveal.

The young forward, 16, has already made his first-team debut at Blackpool even though he does not turn 17 until September.

Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that Rangers are working on signing Weston when the League One season ends.

📸 Great experience for 16-year-old Tony Weston today, who has travelled with the squad after impressing for @BFC1887youth so far this season.

🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/Dyjddc59k8

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) November 23, 2019

It remains up in the air whether the English third tier will recommence amid the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Weston has caught the attention of talent spotters north and south of the border with his precocious performances.

Speaking in November, ex-Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said he “knows for sure” that there are other clubs watching Weston.

Born in Liverpool, he joined Blackpool as a junior and has won numerous academy Player of the Year awards throughout his time at Bloomfield Road.

He made his senior bow as a substitute in an FA Cup clash in January and trains with the first-team squad.

Weston cannot sign a professional deal with Blackpool until his 17th birthday.

However, Scottish rules allow clubs north of the border to tie young stars to professional terms at the age of 16.

Rangers took advantage of this to secure their own home-grown star Leon King to a pro deal earlier this year despite an avalanche of interest from top Premier League clubs as well as those on the Continent.

This article was originally posted here

Noel Whelan insisted Steven Gerrard would have not allowed Andy Halliday to leave Rangers unless he was sure that he was surplus to requirements at Ibrox.

The former Aberdeen and Leeds forward, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested the 28-year-old will depart to make room for summer recruits.

The biggest surprise among the six departures announced last Tuesday was comfortably that of lifelong fan Halliday.

The decision comes after the SPFL announced last week that the Scottish Premiership would follow the lower leagues in being curtailed.

Former Teddy Bear Kris Boyd claimed that the club had made a mistake in letting the versatile Scotsman leave.

When asked by Football Insider if Steven Gerrard would regret letting Halliday leave this summer, Whelan said: “If Gerrard really wanted him he would keep him, it is as simple as that.

“You do not let go of players who you feel could have an impact on the side.

“He feels surplus to requirements, as does Stevie G and a conversation will have been had between them.

“It will work for both parties because Halliday will get another club and it frees up another spot for Rangers to strengthen.

“In these times clubs have got to make tough decisions. Gerrard is taking tough decisions on players and there is no love lost there.

“Stevie wants to take the club in a different direction.”

Sporting director, Ross Wilson told the club’s website: “Andy, Wes and Jon have applied themselves excellently during my time here and I wish them nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

Wes Foderingham and Jon Flanagan will join Halliday in departing Ibrox at the end of May.

This article was originally posted here

Rangers are offering goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie a new contract to prevent him leaving this summer, Football Insider understands.

Keeping hold of the highly rated goalkeeper, who recently turned 22, is a priority for the Light Blues as they also put the finishing touches to the signing of Ianis Hagi.

Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that the club are keen to reward McCrorie with a pay rise and an extended deal to replace his current agreement.

The goalkeeper, who had spent the second half of the recently-terminated season on loan at SPL side Livingston, is out of contract in 2022.

There is interest in the young keeper from clubs north and south of the border, as well as on the Continent.

He has been linked with a glamour move to West Ham, although they also have a young keeper star emerging from their own ranks in 19-year-old Joseph Anang.

Rangers’ bid to tie down McCrorie comes as they are poised to announce Hagi as their first summer signing on a permanent deal worth around £4million.

The keeper is one of the most talented young players in Scotland along with his twin brother and fellow Light Blue Ross.

Capped by Scotland at Under-21 international, he spent the first half of the season at Championship outfit Queen of the South, where he made such an impact he was named player of the year despite only playing half the campaign.

He has yet to play for his parent club, but has had four spells out on loan, also at Berwick Rangers in League Two and Greenock Morton in the Championship.

McCrorie has been tipped by Steven Gerrard to eventually succeed Allan McGregor as the Rangers number one.

The club announced last week that number two keeper Wes Foderingham and loaned-out Jak Alnwick will leave when their contracts expire next month.

This article was originally posted here